Electrolyzed water generator

Abstract

To provide a technology with which it is possible to enhance homogeneity of concentration of mixed water in an electrolysis bath in an electrolytic water generator in which water and saline water are separately supplied to the electrolysis bath.SOLUTION: An electrolytic water generator (electrolytic water generation part 19) includes an electrolytic bath 20, a water supply part 30, and a saline water supply part. The electrolytic bath 20 includes an electrolytic region 36 where electrodes 21 for carrying out electrolysis are disposed, and a water supply passage 38 through which water flows toward the electrolytic region 36. The water supply part 30 supplies water to the water supply passage 38. A saline water supply part supplies saline water to the water supply passage 38 on a downstream side of a position at which water is supplied from the water supply part 30 during the time that the water supply part 30 supplies water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrolyzed water generating device that generates electrolyzed water by electrolysis. [Background technology]

[0002] An electrolyzed water generator is known that produces electrolyzed water by electrolyzing diluted brine produced by diluting concentrated brine with water in an electrolytic cell (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this electrolyzed water generator, concentrated brine and water are mixed in a chamber to produce diluted brine, and the produced diluted brine is supplied to the electrolytic cell. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-15553 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] From the viewpoint of simplifying the configuration, it is desirable to supply water and high-concentration brine directly to the electrolytic cell, and then mix them in the electrolytic cell to produce low-concentration brine. However, with this configuration, it is difficult to achieve a uniform concentration of brine in the electrolytic cell.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology that can increase the uniformity of the concentration of mixed water in an electrolytic cell in an electrolytic water generating device in which water and salt water are each supplied separately to the electrolytic cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an electrolytic cell having an electrolysis region in which electrodes for electrolysis are arranged and a water supply channel through which water flows toward the electrolysis region, a water supply unit that supplies water to the water supply channel, and a salt water supply unit that supplies salt water to the water supply channel downstream of the position where water is supplied from the water supply unit when the water supply unit is supplying water.

[0007] Any combination of the above components and conversion of the expressions of the present disclosure into methods, devices, systems, etc. are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, in an electrolyzed water generating device in which water and salt water are separately supplied to an electrolytic cell, the uniformity of the concentration of the mixed water in the electrolytic cell can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a space purification system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the space purification device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view schematically showing the configuration of the electrolyzed water generator of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the electrolyzed water generating unit of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the electrolytic cell of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the electrolytic cell of FIG. 2, seen from an angle different from that of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Before describing the specific embodiments of the present disclosure, an overview of the embodiments will be provided. The present embodiments relate to an electrolyzed water generator. The electrolyzed water generator is installed in a space purification system that adjusts humidity and sprays water containing a component that purifies the air (hereinafter referred to as an "air purification component") into a room. The air purification component may be, for example, hypochlorous acid, which has bactericidal or deodorizing properties. This sterilizes or deodorizes the room.

[0011] In electrolyzed water generators, water and high-concentration salt water are supplied separately to an electrolytic cell, which then mixes them to produce a low-concentration salt water mixture. The resulting salt water is then electrolyzed to produce hypochlorous acid water. However, the high-concentration salt water added to water tends to collect below the water, making it difficult to achieve a uniform salt water concentration within the electrolytic cell, as previously mentioned. If the salt water concentration is uneven, the electrolysis efficiency during electrolysis decreases.

[0012] Therefore, in this embodiment, the electrolytic cell is provided with an electrolysis region where electrodes are arranged and a water supply channel through which water flows toward the electrolysis region, and while water is supplied to the water supply channel, high-concentration brine is supplied to the water supply channel downstream of the position where the water is supplied. This allows the water and high-concentration brine to be agitated by the force of the water flowing from the water supply channel to the electrolysis region, thereby improving the uniformity of the brine concentration in the electrolytic cell.

[0013] The examples described below each illustrate a preferred specific example of the present disclosure. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps (processes), and step order shown in the following examples are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Therefore, among the components in the following examples, components that are not described in the independent claims that represent the highest concept of the present disclosure are described as optional components. Furthermore, in each drawing, substantially identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted or simplified.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a space purification system 100 according to an embodiment. The space purification system 100 is a device that, when circulating air in an indoor space 62 (also referred to as "room"), adds atomized water and an air purification component to air (RA: Return Air) from the indoor space 62. The space purification system 100 sterilizes and deodorizes the indoor space 62 by supplying air (SA: Supply Air) that has circulated inside the system to the indoor space 62. Here, hypochlorous acid is used as the air purification component, and the water containing the air purification component is hypochlorous acid water.

[0015] 1, the space purification system 100 includes a space purification device 10, an operating device 70, a duct 64a, a duct 64c, a low-reactivity duct 67a, and a low-reactivity duct 67c. In this embodiment, the low-reactivity duct 67a and the low-reactivity duct 67c are collectively referred to as a duct 67.

[0016] Fig. 2 shows the configuration of the space purification device 10 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the space purification device 10 includes a housing 1, a purification air duct 5, a micronization unit 14, an electrolyzed water generation unit 19, a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter 11, a purification transport fan 12, a temperature and humidity sensor 40, and a control unit 41.

[0017] 2, the housing 1 forms the outer shell of the space purification device 10. The housing 1 has an air inlet 2a, an air inlet 2c, an air outlet 3a, and an air outlet 3c. In this embodiment, the air inlet 2a and the air inlet 2c are collectively referred to as an air inlet 2, and the air outlet 3a and the air outlet 3c are collectively referred to as an air outlet 3.

[0018] 2, the air inlet 2a and the air inlet 2c are arranged on one side surface of the housing 1. The air outlet 3a and the air outlet 3c are arranged on the other side surface of the housing 1 (the side surface opposite to the one side surface of the housing 1).

[0019] The air inlets 2a and 2c are intakes that respectively take in air 8a and air 8c outside the housing 1 obtained from the indoor space 62 into the space purification device 10. The air 8a and air 8c obtained from the indoor space 62 can also be called non-temperature-controlled air of the indoor space 62 that has not been temperature-controlled, or temperature-controlled air that has been temperature-controlled by an air conditioner or the like separately installed in the indoor space 62.

[0020] 1, air inlet 2a is connected to an indoor air inlet 65a provided on the ceiling or the like of indoor space 62 via duct 64a. Air inlet 2c is connected to an indoor air inlet 65c provided on the ceiling or the like of indoor space 62 via duct 64c. This allows air inlet 2a to draw air 8a from indoor space 62 into the space purification device 10 through indoor air inlet 65a. Air inlet 2c can draw air 8c from indoor space 62 into the space purification device 10 through indoor air inlet 65c.

[0021] Indoor air inlet 65c does not have to be provided. In this case, one end of duct 64a may be connected to indoor air inlet 65a, and the other end of duct 64a may be branched and connected to air inlet 2a and air inlet 2c.

[0022] The air outlet 3a is an outlet that discharges air 9a (SA) that has circulated inside the space purification device 10 into the indoor space 62. The air 9a contains atomized hypochlorous acid water. The air outlet 3c is an outlet that discharges air 9c (SA) that has circulated inside the space purification device 10 into the indoor space 62. The air 9c also contains atomized hypochlorous acid water.

[0023] 1, the air outlet 3a is in communication with an indoor air outlet 68a provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via a low-reactivity duct 67a. The air outlet 3c is in communication with an indoor air outlet 68c provided on the ceiling or the like of the indoor space 62 via a low-reactivity duct 67c. This allows the air outlet 3a to blow out air 9a that has circulated through the space purification device 10 from the indoor air outlet 68a toward the indoor space 62. The air outlet 3c is in communication with an indoor air outlet 68c toward the indoor space 62 via the indoor air outlet 68c.

[0024] Note that the air outlet 3a and the air outlet 3c are not distinguished from each other, and for example, the air outlet 3c may not be provided. In this case, one end of the low-reactivity duct 67a may be connected to the air outlet 3a, and the other end of the low-reactivity duct 67a may be branched and connected to the indoor air outlet 68a and the indoor air outlet 68c.

[0025] The low-reactivity duct 67a and the low-reactivity duct 67c are both ducts connected downstream of the purification air duct 5, and have inner walls made of a low-reactivity material that is poorly reactive with hypochlorous acid water. The low-reactivity material is, for example, a polyolefin-based material. The polyolefin-based material includes, for example, at least one of polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning airflow duct 5 is provided in the housing 1, and connects the intake 2 (the intake 2a and the intake 2c) with the outlet 3 (the outlet 3a and the outlet 3c).

[0027] The purification air duct 5 is an air duct through which both air 8a and air 8c flow. The purification air duct 5 can also be considered an air duct through which the air 8a and air 8c flow together. The purification air duct 5 includes a HEPA filter 11, an electrolyzed water generator 19, a purification conveying fan 12, and a micronization unit 14, arranged in this order from upstream to downstream. More specifically, the electrolyzed water generator 19 is disposed upstream of the purification conveying fan 12, adjacent to an intake port (not shown) of the purification conveying fan 12. The micronization unit 14 is disposed downstream of the purification conveying fan 12, adjacent to an exhaust port (not shown) of the purification conveying fan 12. A temperature and humidity sensor 40 is disposed between the HEPA filter 11 and the purification conveying fan 12 in the purification air duct 5. The temperature and humidity sensor 40 measures the temperature and humidity of the air that has passed through the HEPA filter 11 and outputs the measured values ​​to the control unit 41.

[0028] The HEPA filter 11 is an air filter that removes dirt, dust, etc. from the air that flows into the space purification device 10 and outputs purified air. The HEPA filter 11 is disposed adjacent to the intake ports 2a and 2c.

[0029] The purification conveying fan 12 is a device for conveying air that has passed through the HEPA filter 11 along the purification air duct 5 to the atomization unit 14. The purification conveying fan 12 generates an air flow in the purification air duct 5. The purification conveying fan 12 draws air from the intake port 2 and blows it into the duct 67 via the atomization unit 14 and the outlet port 3 in that order. More specifically, the purification conveying fan 12 is configured as a double-intake centrifugal fan. A known configuration can be adopted for the centrifugal fan. The purification conveying fan 12 draws air from intake ports (not shown) provided on the left and right sides of the atomization unit 14, and conveys the air to the atomization unit 14 from an outlet port (not shown). An electrolyzed water generator 19 is disposed upstream of the intake port (not shown) provided on the left side of the purification conveying fan 12.

[0030] In the purification transport fan 12, the air volume, that is, the rotation speed, is controlled in accordance with an output signal from the control unit 41. When the purification transport fan 12 is operated, air is sent to the micronization unit .

[0031] The atomization unit 14 is a unit for humidifying the air taken into the purification air duct 5, and during humidification, it adds hypochlorous acid to the air introduced from the purification conveying fan 12 along with atomized water. The atomization unit 14 dilutes the hypochlorous acid water generated by the electrolyzed water generation unit 19 with water, atomizes the diluted hypochlorous acid water by centrifugal crushing, and releases it into the air. The atomized hypochlorous acid water is released outside the housing 1 from the outlet 3 with the liquid components evaporated.

[0032] The micronization section 14 has a centrifugal crushing unit and a mixing tank (not shown). The micronization section 14 rotates the centrifugal crushing unit using a humidifying motor (not shown), and uses centrifugal force to suck up hypochlorous acid water stored in the mixing tank (hypochlorous acid water generated by the electrolyzed water generation section 19 and water supplied from a water supply section (not shown) and dilute it in the mixing tank), causing it to scatter, collide, and crush around (in the centrifugal direction), and causing moisture to be absorbed into the passing air. This centrifugal crushing type configuration is used.

[0033] The micronization unit 14 adjusts the humidification capacity (amount of humidification) by changing the rotation speed of the humidification motor in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The amount of humidification can also be considered as the amount of air purification component added to the air. The control unit 41 controls the rotation speed of the centrifugal crushing unit based on the humidity measurement value detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 72.

[0034] The electrolyzed water generator 19 is disposed upstream of the purification conveying fan 12 in the purification air duct 5. The electrolyzed water generator 19 has an electrolytic cell 20 and a salt water tank 23. The electrolyzed water generator 19 dilutes salt water (aqueous sodium chloride solution) stored in the salt water tank 23 to a predetermined concentration in the electrolytic cell 20 and performs electrolysis to generate hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration. The electrolyzed water generator 19 can also be called a hypochlorous acid water generator.

[0035] The electrolyzed water generator 19 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3 to 6. Figure 3 is a top view schematically showing the configuration of the electrolyzed water generator 19 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the electrolyzed water generator 19 of Figure 3 taken along line AA.

[0036] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the electrolytic cell 20 in Figure 2. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the electrolytic cell 20 in Figure 2, seen from an angle different from that shown in Figure 5. Figures 5 and 6 show the electrolytic cell 20 cut along line BB in Figure 3.

[0037] For ease of explanation, as shown in the figure, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is defined in which the horizontal direction along the longitudinal direction of the electrolyzed water generation unit 19 is the X direction, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the X direction is the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to both, i.e., the vertical direction, is the Z direction.

[0038] The electrolyzed water generating unit 19 includes an electrolytic cell 20, electrodes 21, a water supply unit 30, a salt water supply unit 32, a water stop unit 34, and an electrolyzed water conveying unit 28. The salt water supply unit 22 has a salt water tank 23, a salt water conveying pump 24, a check valve 25, and a flow path 26.

[0039] For clarity of the drawings, the saltwater tank 23 and saltwater transport pump 24 are omitted from Figure 3, the electrode 21 is omitted from Figures 4 to 6, and the water supply unit 30 and saltwater supply unit 32 are omitted from Figures 5 and 6.

[0040] 3 to 6 stores a mixture of water and saltwater to be electrolyzed. The mixture is saltwater diluted to a predetermined concentration. The electrolytic cell 20 has an electrolysis region 36 and a water supply channel 38.

[0041] The electrolysis region 36 is a region where a plate-shaped electrode 21 (see FIG. 3) for performing electrolysis is placed. A bottom surface 50 of the electrolysis region 36 in the electrolytic cell 20 slopes downward from the upstream side to the downstream side along the X direction.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, water is supplied from a water supply channel 38 to the upstream side of the electrolysis region 36. Ribs 51 are provided on the bottom surface 50 of the electrolysis region 36 downstream of the position where water is supplied from the water supply channel 38. One rib 51 is disposed on each side of the electrode 21 in the Y direction. The ribs 51 are substantially rectangular plates in a plan view, with the plate surface extending along the Y direction and rising from the bottom surface 50 in the Z direction.

[0043] 4 and 5, a curved surface 53 is provided between an inner surface 52 on the downstream side of the electrolytic cell 20 and a bottom surface 50. The curved surface 53 is formed in a concave curved shape.

[0044] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the water supply channel 38 is disposed adjacent to the electrolysis region 36 on the upstream side in the Y direction, and water flows toward the electrolysis region 36. The water supply channel 38 includes a first inclined surface 54 and a second inclined surface 55. In Figure 6, the first inclined surface 54 and the second inclined surface 55 are depicted with diagonal lines. The first inclined surface 54 slopes downward in the X direction. The second inclined surface 55 is disposed downstream of the first inclined surface 54, slopes downward in the Y direction, and is connected to the bottom surface 50 of the electrolysis region 36.

[0045] 3 and 4 supplies water supplied from a water pipe outside the space purification device 10 to the water supply path 38 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The water supply unit 30 is disposed above the first inclined surface 54, and causes water to flow out from the outlet 30a of the water supply unit 30 onto the first inclined surface 54.

[0046] 3 and 4 supplies saltwater to the water supply channel 38 downstream of the position where water is supplied from the water supply unit 30 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41 when the water supply unit 30 is supplying water. The amount of saltwater supplied at one time can be determined appropriately through experiments or simulations, and may be, for example, about 1 / 1000 of the amount of water supplied at one time.

[0047] The saltwater tank 23 shown in FIG. 4 stores highly concentrated saltwater (aqueous sodium chloride solution). This saltwater is, for example, saturated salt water. The saltwater tank 23 is connected to a tubular flow path 26 via a saltwater transfer pump 24. A check valve 25 is disposed in the flow path 26 upstream of an outlet 27 of the flow path 26. When the saltwater transfer pump 24 starts a transfer operation in response to an output signal from the control unit 41, the saltwater in the saltwater tank 23 passes through the saltwater transfer pump 24, the check valve 25, and the flow path 26, and flows out from the outlet 27 of the flow path 26 onto the second inclined surface 55. The portion of the flow path 26 located between the check valve 25 and the outlet 27 is also referred to as the "nozzle" of the saltwater supply unit 32.

[0048] Outlet 27 shown in Figure 4 is located above second inclined surface 55, at a position where it is immersed in the mixed water when electrolytic cell 20 is full. Outlet 27 is located below water level L1 when electrolytic cell 20 is full. Outlet 27 remains immersed in the mixed water or the hypochlorous acid water produced by electrolysis, even while the mixed water is being electrolyzed by current flow. This prevents water from evaporating from the saltwater inside outlet 27, and prevents clogging of outlet 27 with solidified salt.

[0049] Check valve 25 shown in Figure 4 is disposed in a position where it is not submerged in the mixed water. Check valve 25 is disposed above water level L1 when electrolytic cell 20 is full. Check valve 25 may also be disposed outside the housing of electrolytic cell 20. This prevents the mixed water from flowing back into flow path 26 through a gap at the connection between check valve 25 and flow path 26.

[0050] When the saltwater transfer pump 24 stops transferring operation, the check valve 25 operates to prevent the mixed water and saltwater from flowing back from the outlet 27 to the saltwater transfer pump 24 side.

[0051] 3 to 6 is a water level sensor that detects when the water level in electrolytic cell 20 has reached full water level L1 and supplies the detection result to control unit 41. When control unit 41 detects that the water level has reached water level L1, it causes water supply unit 30 to stop supplying water.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, water supplied to the first inclined surface 54 flows in the direction of arrow A1 to reach the second inclined surface 55, and then flows along the second inclined surface 55 in the direction of arrow A2 to reach the electrolysis region 36.

[0053] When the water supply unit 30 is supplying water, saltwater is supplied to the water supply channel 38 downstream of the position where water is supplied from the water supply unit 30. This allows the water and saltwater to be effectively mixed by the force of water flowing from the water supply channel 38 to the electrolysis region 36. By supplying saltwater while water is being supplied, it is possible to prevent the salt concentration on the downstream side of the electrolysis region 36 from becoming higher than the salt concentration on the upstream side. This makes it possible to improve the uniformity of the concentration of the mixed water in the electrolysis region 36.

[0054] On the other hand, in a comparative example in which salt water is first supplied to the water supply channel 38 and then water is supplied, the flow of water causes most of the salt water to flow downstream of the electrolysis region 36, and it is difficult for it to be stirred by the water supplied thereafter, so the concentration downstream of the electrolysis region 36 tends to be high and the concentration upstream tends to be low.

[0055] Here, when the water and salt water that have reached the electrolysis region 36 from the second inclined surface 55 flow downstream along the inclined bottom surface 50, the flow is temporarily blocked by the ribs 51, thereby agitating the mixture of water and salt water. In particular, salt water, which is heavier than water, tends to flow along the bottom surface 50, so the flow of salt water is easily blocked by the ribs 51, causing the salt water to flow in various directions, resulting in efficient agitation. An example of the direction in which the water and salt water flow after being disturbed by the ribs 51 is shown by arrows A3 in Figure 3. This also improves the uniformity of the concentration of the mixed water.

[0056] Furthermore, curved surface 53 provided between bottom surface 50 and inner surface 52 on the downstream side of electrolytic cell 20 allows brine that reaches the downstream side of electrolytic cell 20 to move upward along curved surface 53 and return to the upstream side, allowing the mixed water to be agitated downstream as well. This also improves the uniformity of the concentration of the mixed water.

[0057] In this way, water and salt water are mixed in the electrolytic cell 20. The mixture of salt water and water can also be called salt water with a lower concentration than saturated salt water.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode 21 is disposed in the electrolytic cell 20, and in response to an output signal from the control unit 41, for example, when it is detected that the electrolytic cell 20 is full of water, the electrode 21 electrolyzes the mixed water by passing current through it, thereby producing electrolyzed water, which is hypochlorous acid water of a predetermined concentration.

[0059] That is, the electrolytic cell 20 generates hypochlorous acid water by electrolyzing a chloride aqueous solution (e.g., salt water) as an electrolyte. Here, the electrolyte is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of generating hypochlorous acid water and contains even a small amount of chloride ions, and examples include aqueous solutions in which sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or the like is dissolved as a solute. Hydrochloric acid is also acceptable. In this embodiment, a chloride aqueous solution (salt water) in which sodium chloride is added to water is used as the electrolyte.

[0060] The electrolyzed water transport unit 28 supplies electrolyzed water, i.e., hypochlorous acid water, from the electrolytic cell 20 to the mixing tank of the atomization unit 14 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41. The electrolyzed water transport unit 28 can also be called a hypochlorous acid water supply unit. The electrolyzed water transport unit 28 sends out almost the entire amount of hypochlorous acid water in the electrolytic cell 20 to the water supply pipe 29. The water supply pipe 29 is connected between the electrolyzed water transport unit 28 and the atomization unit 14, and transports the hypochlorous acid water toward the atomization unit 14.

[0061] The water supply time from when the water supply unit 30 starts to supply water until it stops is longer than the saltwater supply time from when the saltwater supply unit 32 starts to supply saltwater until it stops. The saltwater supply unit 32 starts supplying saltwater a predetermined first time after the water supply unit 30 starts to supply water. The first time can be determined appropriately through experiments or simulations so as to increase the uniformity of the concentration of the mixed water, and may be, for example, several seconds. After the saltwater supply unit 32 stops supplying saltwater, the water supply unit 30 stops supplying water.

[0062] The first time period is set so that the timing when half the salt water supply time has elapsed since salt water supply unit 32 started supplying salt water is earlier than the timing when half the water supply time has elapsed since water supply unit 30 started supplying water. As an example, the water supply time may be about 20 seconds, the salt water supply time may be 6 seconds, and the first time may be 5 seconds. The water supply time and salt water supply time may also be appropriately determined by experiment or simulation depending on the capacity of electrolytic cell 20, the water line pressure, etc.

[0063] If the supply of salt water is too slow while water is being supplied, the water and salt water tend to be poorly mixed, but by setting the first time period as described above, the supply of salt water does not become too slow even if the length of the water supply time varies due to changes in water pressure, etc. This makes it possible to improve the uniformity of the concentration of the mixed water in the electrolysis region 36.

[0064] The water supply unit 30 stops supplying water when the electrolytic bath 20 is full of water, and starts supplying water after a predetermined second time has elapsed when the electrolytic water transport unit 28 transports electrolytic water to the atomization unit 14 and the electrolytic bath 20 runs dry. The second time can be determined appropriately through experiments or simulations and may be, for example, several tens of seconds. In this way, the outlet 27 of the flow path 26 is immersed in the mixed water or hypochlorous acid water for most of the time. This more reliably suppresses evaporation of water from the saltwater inside the outlet 27.

[0065] Although not shown, another water supply unit is also connected to the micronization unit 14. The other water supply unit supplies water to the mixing tank of the micronization unit 14 in response to an output signal from the control unit 41.

[0066] In this way, the hypochlorous acid water and water are mixed in the mixing tank of the micronization unit 14. The mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water can also be called hypochlorous acid water. The micronization unit 14 sprays the hypochlorous acid water into the indoor space 62 by centrifugal crushing the mixed water of hypochlorous acid water and water stored in the mixing tank.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 1, an operating device 70 is installed on a wall surface of the indoor space 62. The operating device 70 has a user interface that can be operated by a user, and receives settings of a humidity setting value and an operation mode from the user. The operation modes include modes that specify the amount of hypochlorous acid in the air, such as a deodorizing mode, a sterilizing mode, and a normal mode. The operating device 70 includes a temperature and humidity sensor 72, which measures the temperature and humidity of the air in the indoor space 62. Known technology may be used to measure the temperature and humidity with the temperature and humidity sensor 72, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0068] The operating device 70 is connected to the control unit 41 by wire or wirelessly, and transmits the humidity setting value, the humidity measurement value, and operation mode information to the control unit 41. This information may be transmitted all together, any two or more pieces of information may be transmitted together, or each piece may be transmitted separately.

[0069] The control unit 41 controls the purification conveying fan 12, the electrolyzed water generator 19, and the micronization unit 14. The control unit 41 controls the amount of hypochlorous acid water and the amount of water supplied to the micronization unit 14, thereby controlling the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water from the micronization unit 14. More specifically, the control unit 41 controls the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water based on the required amount of humidification. For example, when a small amount of humidification is required, the control unit 41 increases the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water. This allows the required amount of hypochlorous acid to be met while maintaining appropriate humidity. On the other hand, when a large amount of humidification is required, if the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water is high, a large amount of hypochlorous acid will be supplied to the indoor space 62 along with a large amount of moisture, increasing the hypochlorous acid concentration in the indoor space 62. This will result in a strong hypochlorous acid odor in the indoor space 62, which may be unpleasant for users depending on the amount. Therefore, when the required amount of humidification is large, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water can be reduced to increase the amount of humidification sent to the indoor space 62 while reducing the amount of hypochlorous acid. Thus, the control unit 41 can simultaneously control the amount of hypochlorous acid released and the humidity.

[0070] The control unit 41 may control the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water of the micronization unit 14 based on the required amount of hypochlorous acid. For example, when the required amount of humidification is small, the control unit 41 increases the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water as the required amount of hypochlorous acid increases. On the other hand, when the required amount of humidification is large, the control unit 41 decreases the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the mixed water as the required amount of hypochlorous acid increases.

[0071] The subject of the device, system, or method disclosed herein includes a computer. The computer executes a program to realize the functions of the subject of the device, system, or method disclosed herein. The computer includes, as its main hardware component, a processor that operates according to the program. The processor may be of any type, as long as it can realize the functions by executing the program. The processor may be composed of one or more electronic circuits, including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large-scale integration (LSI). The electronic circuits may be integrated into a single chip or may be provided on multiple chips. The multiple chips may be integrated into a single device or may be provided on multiple devices. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium, such as a computer-readable read-only memory (ROM), optical disk, or hard disk drive. The program may be pre-stored on the recording medium or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network, including the Internet.

[0072] According to this embodiment, when the water supply unit 30 supplies water, saltwater is supplied to the water supply channel 38 downstream of the position where water is supplied from the water supply unit 30. Therefore, the force of water flowing from the water supply channel 38 to the electrolysis region 36 can agitate the water and saltwater, preventing the salt concentration downstream from becoming higher than the salt concentration upstream in the electrolysis region 36. This increases the uniformity of the concentration of the mixed water within the electrolysis region 36. This also increases the uniformity of the concentration in a relatively short period of time. Increased uniformity of the mixed water concentration allows for uniform electrolysis over a wide area of ​​the electrode 21, improving electrolysis efficiency and increasing the uniformity of the concentration of the hypochlorous acid water. Furthermore, increased uniformity of the mixed water concentration reduces the conductivity of the mixed water, allowing for a reduction in the voltage applied to the electrode 21 during electrolysis and reducing the power consumption required for electrolysis.

[0073] Furthermore, when the electrolytic cell 20 is full of water, the outlet 27 of the salt water supply unit 32 is immersed in the mixed water, which makes it difficult for water to evaporate from the salt water inside the outlet 27. This makes it possible to prevent the outlet 27 from being clogged with solidified salt.

[0074] The present disclosure has been described above based on examples. These examples are merely illustrative, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component or each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0075] An overview of one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows: An electrolyzed water generator (19) according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an electrolytic cell (20) having an electrolysis region (36) in which electrodes (21) for electrolysis are arranged and a water supply channel (38) through which water flows toward the electrolysis region (36), a water supply unit (30) that supplies water to the water supply channel (38), and a brine supply unit (32) that supplies brine to the water supply channel (38) downstream of the position where water is supplied from the water supply unit (30) when the water supply unit (30) is supplying water.

[0076] The bottom surface 50 of the electrolysis region 36 in the electrolytic cell 20 may be inclined downward from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0077] A rib (51) may be provided on the bottom surface (50) downstream of the position where water is supplied from the water supply channel (38).

[0078] A curved surface (53) may be provided between the inner surface (52) on the downstream side of the electrolytic cell (20) and the bottom surface (50).

[0079] The water supply time from when the water supply unit (30) starts to supply water until it stops is longer than the salt water supply time from when the salt water supply unit (32) starts to supply salt water until it stops, and the salt water supply unit (32) may start supplying salt water after the water supply unit (30) starts supplying water, and the water supply unit (30) may stop supplying water after the salt water supply unit (32) stops supplying salt water.

[0080] The predetermined time may be determined so that the salt water supply unit (32) starts supplying salt water a predetermined time after the water supply unit (30) starts supplying water, and the timing at which half the salt water supply time has elapsed since the salt water supply unit (32) started supplying salt water is earlier than the timing at which half the water supply time has elapsed since the water supply unit (30) started supplying water. [Industrial Applicability]

[0081] The electrolyzed water generating device according to the present disclosure is useful as a device for generating electrolyzed water by electrolysis. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 Housing, 2, 2a, 2c Intake port, 3, 3a, 3c Outlet, 5 Purified air duct, 8a, 8c, 9a, 9c Air, 10 Space purification device, 11 HEPA filter, 12 Purified transport fan, 14 Micronization section, 19 Electrolyzed water generation section, 20 Electrolytic cell, 21 Electrode, 23 Brine tank, 24 Brine transport pump, 25 Check valve, 26 Flow path, 27 Outlet, 28 Electrolyzed water transport section, 29 Water supply pipe, 30 Water supply section, 32 Brine supply section, 34 Water stop section, 36 Electrolysis area, 38 Water supply path, 40 Temperature and humidity sensor, 41 Control section, 50 Bottom surface, 51 Rib, 52 Inner surface, 53 Curved surface, 54 First inclined surface, 55 second inclined surface, 62 indoor space, 64a, 64c duct, 65a, 65c indoor intake port, 67 duct, 67a, 67c low-reactivity duct, 68a, 68c indoor outlet, 70 operating device, 72 temperature and humidity sensor, 100 space purification system.

Claims

1. an electrolytic cell having an electrolysis region in which electrodes for electrolysis are arranged and a water supply channel through which water flows toward the electrolysis region; a water supply unit that supplies water to the water supply channel; a salt water supply unit that supplies salt water to the water supply channel downstream of a position where water is supplied from the water supply unit when the water supply unit is supplying water, a bottom surface of the electrolysis region in the electrolytic cell inclined downward from the upstream side to the downstream side, The water supply channel is An electrolyzed water generating device that slopes downward from the upstream side to the downstream side, and whose downstream end is connected to the bottom surface of the electrolysis area.

2. an electrolytic cell having an electrolysis region in which electrodes for electrolysis are arranged and a water supply channel through which water flows toward the electrolysis region; a water supply unit that supplies water to the water supply channel; a salt water supply unit that supplies salt water to the water supply channel downstream of a position where water is supplied from the water supply unit when the water supply unit is supplying water, a water supply time from when the water supply unit starts to supply water until when it stops is longer than a salt water supply time from when the salt water supply unit starts to supply salt water until it stops, the salt water supply unit starts supplying salt water after the water supply unit starts supplying water; The electrolyzed water generating device, wherein the water supply unit stops supplying water after the salt water supply unit stops supplying salt water.

3. The electrolyzed water generating device according to claim 1, wherein a rib is provided on the bottom surface downstream of the position where water is supplied from the water supply channel.

4. 2. The electrolyzed water generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a curved surface is provided between the inner surface of the electrolytic cell on the downstream side and the bottom surface.

5. the salt water supply unit starts supplying salt water a predetermined time after the water supply unit starts supplying water, The electrolytic water generating device of claim 2, wherein the predetermined time is set so that the timing when half of the salt water supply time has elapsed since the salt water supply unit started supplying salt water is earlier than the timing when half of the water supply time has elapsed since the water supply unit started supplying water.

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